In its 2026 Work Programme, the European Commission announced that it will come forward with a legislative initiative to update the rules on postal services and merge the Postal Services Directive 97/67/EC and Regulation 2018/644 on cross-border parcel delivery services. Reform of EU rules on postal services will focus on delivery as a service and will ensure that people and businesses can receive deliveries throughout the EU at affordable prices, while promoting fair competition on delivery markets and increasing consumer protection.

The Postal Services Directive (97/67/EC, amended by Directives 2002/39/EC and 2008/6/EC)  established a regulatory framework for European postal services. The universal service obligation (USO) is the core of the postal services directive. The directive gives flexibility to EU member countries, allowing them to adapt elements of domestic postal services to their particular needs. The postal services directive also established the EU Postal Directive Committee, which consists of representatives of EU countries’ national ministries and serves as a scrutiny body for the application of postal legislation and for the improvement of quality of service. 

The USO is the core of the Postal Services Directive. This is the requirement that letters and parcels should be delivered to each home or business premises, on 5 days each week, throughout each EU country (with exemptions).

Regulation 2018/644 on cross-border parcel delivery services aims to improve the transparency, affordability, and efficiency of cross-border parcel delivery services. 

On 6 October 2025, the Commission launched a call for evidence on the Commission's ‘Have Your Say’ portal inviting all interested stakeholders to contribute to the future EU Delivery Act, an initiative aimed at modernising the EU regulatory framework for postal and parcel delivery services.

On 14 October 2025, the 6th edition of the European Regulators Group for Postal Services (ERGP) Stakeholders Forum brought together circa 150 stakeholders to discuss the European Commission’s plan to revise the EU regulatory framework for postal services. 

On 11 December 2025, the Commission launched a public consultation in preparation for the future EU Delivery Act. The purpose of the public consultation was to seek feedback from stakeholders on the possible limitations of the current EU postal framework, as well as the objectives and the policy options envisaged for its modernisation.  

Respondents reported the highest levels of dissatisfaction with ease of complaint resolution if parcel is late/lost/damaged and clear terms of service/contract.  

The majority of respondents agreed that “a minimum EU level universal service obligation is important to guarantee postal delivery for all everywhere”. 

Respondents were also asked what requirements needed simplification and which required 
harmonisation. The top three requirements for simplification were: 
• Forms for submission of information by and to regulators  
• Reporting obligations by postal operators to national regulatory authorities 
• Tariff principles and methodology 

The top three requirements for harmonisation were: 
• Consumer protection rules 
• Reporting obligations by postal operators to national regulatory authorities 
• Data collection, assessment and monitoring obligations by national regulators 

References:

• European Commission, Commission work programme 2026, COM/2025/870
• European Commission, Call for evidence, 6 October 2025
• European Commission, Prospective Study on the future of the Postal Sector, 2024
• European Commission, Public consultation, 11 December 2025

Author: Mathias Gullentops, Members' Research Service: legislative-train@europarl.europa.eu